Building Strong Spiritual Muscles

It’s easier to train with a partner.  If you could use some back-up, our mentors are ready. 

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” (I Corinthians 13:11)

From crawling to walking, a toddler must learn stability, balance, confidence, and perseverance. Learning to walk requires falling numerous times. If falling makes a child give up, he will have feeble leg muscles.  He will never being able to stand independently on his own two legs. He will be dependent on others to carry him everywhere.

Likewise, when we are new to Christ, we stumble and fall in our spiritual walk. However, if we get up, restart, and trust in the Lord, He will see us through triumphantly. If we decide the pain is too much to pick ourselves up and go forward, we will develop “weak spiritual muscles”. We will find ourselves living without confidence or determination. We will be envious of the spiritual growth of others. In this feeble condition, it will be nearly impossible for us to overcome the onslaughts of the enemy.

Jesus never said it was going to be an easy walk. Obstacles, trials, and disappointments will come, but the outcome will depend on our attitude, response, and trust in the Holy Spirit. As we exercise our faith in every circumstance our spiritual “muscles” grow. We become stronger spiritually so we can resist the devil causing him to flee from us.

God knows our strengths and weaknesses. His Word says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) He has given us gifts, talents, and skills as part of the body of Christ. He also knows our negative traits, which sometimes will show up in the obstacles, conflicts, and trials we encounter. In James 1:2-4 we read, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Have you fallen in your spiritual journey with the Lord? Are you afraid and too weary to get up?

Here are seven steps to build and strengthen your spiritual muscles:

1. Commit to spending time with God daily.
2. Ask God what He would like you to read from His word. Then read it.
3. Get a journal and write the date/Bible verse(s) that you are led to read.
4. Ask God questions and write the answers down.
5. During the day, ponder the message you got. Apply the message to your life.
6. From time to time, go back and re-read your journal entries.
7. Evaluate your progress. You will be amazed at your growth.

God, Don’t let me give up. Show me that with You I am strong enough. With you, I can do all things. Walk this road with me. Make me more like You. Amen

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